Cosmetology students in the United States are set to receive $2.8 million in a settlement after a class action lawsuit alleged that they were forced to work off the clock.
The lawsuit, filed against Douglas J. Holdings Institute, an Aveda cosmetology school, claimed that students were required to perform unpaid work, such as cleaning, laundry, restocking products, and performing sales tasks, during student clinic hours.
The students argued that they should have been compensated for this work and that the school had violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by not paying them for their full hours.
The institute has agreed to pay $2.8 million to settle the lawsuit. The money will be distributed to students who worked off the clock between 2016 and 2022.
The settlement is a victory for cosmetology students fighting for fair pay. It is also a reminder that employers cannot force employees to work off the clock.
The institute agreed to pay $2.8 million to resolve the suit, according to the settlement website.